Aqua Planet operates a professional rescue and rehabilitation task force exclusively comprising veterinarians and keepers in order to systematically and promptly respond to emergency situations and safely rescue animals. Through its efforts, injured or stranded animals in the nearby waters of Yeosu and Jeju where Aqua Planet is located can attain the aid of a professional rescue team. We will continue to do our best to protect marine animals.

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  There are various types of cetacean species living along the coast of Korea. Among these are common dolphins and indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins.

  View the rescue record for Aqua Planet’s dolphins

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  All sea turtles worldwide are designated endangered species and protected by CITES. As more of this valued species are sighted along the coasts of Korea, an increasing number have been stranded.

  View the rescue record for Aqua Planet’s sea turtles

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  In our country, there are various Marine Organisms under Protection such as Saul’s Triton Shell, Eurasian Otter. We have to pay attention to these small animals which can be easily overlooked.

  View the rescue record for Aqua Planet’s otters

There are about 100 indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins living in fluid pod groups along the coastline of Jeju. These dolphins have been garnering greater attention from Koreans ever since they appeared on the TV show, ‘One Night, Two Days.’ The indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins get injured unintentionally or stranded by fixed shore nets, due to their tendency to travel in the shallow waters.
Injured dolphins are usually spotted by local fishermen and reported to the marine police. The Aqua Planet rescue team, along with the marine police then rescue the injured dolphins.

According to one study, 12 Green Sea Turtles, 3 Loggerhead Turtles, 1 hawksbill sea turtle, and 25 unknown species of turtles were incidentally caught or stranded along the Jeju coastline between 2008 and 2009. According to research, there will be an increasing number of sea turtles appearing on the coastlines of Korea. Along with the increasing number of turtles, the number incidentally caught or stranded is also likely to increase. Aqua Planet Jeju and Yeosu are at the forefront rescuing the sea turtles in need of aid when they are caught in nets or washed ashore.

The whaleshark, known as the largest fish on Earth and grows to up to 18 meters, has a gentle charateristic and slow growth rate unlike other sharks, which is easily extinct when overfishing occurs. They live mainly in warm, tropical and subtropical regions and are rarely seen in all parts of Korea. In 2016 the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries designated them as “Endangered Marine Species” to protect them. If whalesharks are incidentally caught by the fishing net, they are more likely to die suffering from exhaustion or injury due to their huge body size. So when you find stranded or incidentally caught Whalesharks, please promptly report it.

Eurasian otters inhabiting Korea used to be a common sight, but their numbers dropped dramatically due to overhunting and the pollution of many of their rivers habitats. They are already extinct in Japan and only spotted rarely in select streams in Korea. They were designated natural monument 330 in 1982 to and as endangered wild animals level 1 in 2012. Despite their friendly appearance, otters are very sensitive and aggressive. If an injured otter is seen, a professional rescue organization such as the Wild Animal Protection Center, Otters Security Association, or Aqua Planet, should be contacted in order to rescue the animal safely.

Saul’s Triton Shell, which is the biggest species of Gastropoda inhabiting Korea, can be found near Jeju island and South sea.. In the past we could easily find it near the coastal area. However, due to illegal collection and environmental pollution the number of species evidently decreased. At present Saul’s Triton Shell is under protection designated as Class Ⅰ Endangered Wildlife. and it needs great concerns. These animals are collected and sold as edible shell thoughtlessly because of an air of indifference. If you find this shell in sushi restaurants or fishing net, please promptly report it for release.